On May 17, the next wave of Lamborghini high-performance vehicles, foreshadowed by the all-new Revuelto, landed on Canadian soil for the first time. This is an important model for a few reasons. First: The Revuelto is the replacement for the Aventador, which has been a mainstay of the Lamborghini line-up since 2011. Second: It’s the first plug-in hybrid in company history.
Electrification is not entirely new to Lamborghini. In 2019, the Italian firm released the limited-edition Sián FKP 37, a non-plug-in hybrid based on the Aventador SVJ. The Sián featured the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V-12 engine from the SVJ with a small electric motor, the set-up generating a combined 805 horsepower. At the time, it was the most powerful production Lamborghini in history.
In terms of big numbers, the Revuelto makes the Sián look like a bit of a shopping cart. Think 805 horsepower is impressive? Think again because the new standard is a staggering 1,001 horsepower. That’s what the Revuelto brings to bear on the situation, courtesy of a brand-new naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V-12, augmented this time around by three electric motors.
(Worth note: Total output for the Revuelto exceeds that of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, which was no doubt part of the plan at Lamborghini.)
The powertrain looks to be quite the piece of work. Two of the three motors are mounted at the front axle, which provides torque vectoring capability. The third motor is integrated into the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s a 3.8-kWh battery pack mounted in between the seats (occupying roughly the same area where the propshaft was on the Aventador), its 187 horsepower able to drive the front axle or the rear, depending on the demands of the situation.
The battery can be replenished while in motion by the V-12 engine; a recharging port in the frunk is where the plug-in capability reveals itself. The Revuelto can travel on electric power alone for a short distance, somewhere in the area of 10 kilometres.
The reason the all-electric range is not more substantial? Electrification in this case is intended for two purposes: improved emissions and outright speed. The mad geniuses at Lamborghini assert that the Revuelto will catapult from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. The 200 km/h-mark is expected to appear in under 7.0 seconds. Top speed will be 349 km/h, they say.
“It’s the first chapter of a new book that we’re writing that is the hybridization of the product range, the first HPEV, which stands for High Performance Electrified Vehicle,” said Andrea Baldi, CEO of the Americas Region for Automobili Lamborghini. “Our customers are very clear to us. They are saying, ‘I want a V-12.’ But they are also telling us that sustainability is not a conversation we can delay. No one is complaining about [a hybrid Lamborghini] because they realize this solution gives the car more performance and low emissions.”
There are four distinct driving modes that oversee the powertrain. The all-electric mode is called Città; it utilizes power only from the battery. The next mode, Strada, unleashes 873 horsepower, while Sport raises the bar to 895 horsepower. The full performance of the Revuelto is reserved for Corsa mode.
In terms of construction, the latest Lamborghini showcases an entirely new carbon structure that is reportedly stronger and lighter than that used on the Aventador. The Revuelto is heavier overall than its predecessor, due to the inclusion of the battery pack, front motors and dual-clutch gearbox.
From a design perspective, the new Lamborghini is a sharp-looking piece of work. When compared to the Aventador, the Revuelto seems more sorted and more sculpted from an aerodynamic perspective.
The front end is dominated by the wedge-like angles, Y-shaped headlights and massive air intakes—looking at the Revuelto head-on, the car looks downright evil. The side view is dominated by the side blade behind the front wheels and air intakes behind the doors. At the back, there’s a partially clear engine cover and enormous dual tailpipes, which are set just below the moveable rear wing.
Inside the passenger cabin, there’s more headroom and elbow room compared to the Aventador. A pair of cupholders emerge from in front of the passenger seat, bringing even more everyday convenience to this Lamborghini. The instrumentation consists of a 12.3-inch configurable gauge set for the driver, a centrally mounted 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 9.1-inch display for the passenger.
For the moment, the Revuelto is available only in coupe form, but a convertible version is practically guaranteed down the road. Customers across Canada who have already reserved their cars will start receiving them before the end of 2023. For those who have yet to pull the trigger on the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto, prices start at CAD $699,394.